28 replies to this topic

[BrianMcQueen]

Fair warning folks - do NOT scroll down unless you have a strong constitution.  Poor practices have killed a really exceptional pen today.

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--> Keep Scrolling if you are brave enough.

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I opened a package from eBay today after giving the seller specific instructions to package the pen very carefully and safely. There were several pens all packed tightly in a flimsy plastic tube, with no padding to protect from bumps and squishes. I almost cried when I opened the package and saw the carnage.  A couple of days ago, this pen was a 1941 (first year) Parker 51 in green (not Nassau, but a different green color) and now it's simply smashed.

 

 

 

Is there ANY sort of hope for life?

 

[JonSzanto]

Brian, I am very sorry to see this has happened. Not the way things should be.

[Procyon]

This is absolutely terrible.  I can't really imagine how that could be repaired.

 

However, I have my doubts about that being some other green besides Nassau green.  I have never heard of another green color for the early vac 51's.  Of course, the color can change over the years, which also might indicate a loss of strength - leading to the situation you now have.

 

In any case, this is a real shame.

[George]

The pre 1944 gree is definitely a different color than Nassau. I have a few, and I know of few more. The early green is more tropical green.

 

George

[david i]

Very sorry Brian.   Damn thing lived 70 years, only to be killed by an ebay seller.

 

-d

[Hugh]

A great shame Brian.

 

Regards

Hugh

[Deb]

That must be terribly disappointing for you.

 

I'm surprised that it doesn't happen more often.  Despite advising sellers how to pack pens, I regularly get pens just dropped into a envelope.  Not even a padded envelope - an ordinary one.

 

Shooting's too good for some people.

[Cob]

My sympathy; what a dreadful - and inexcusable - thing to happen.

 

I have noticed that some sellers do have, as Deb has already noted, a cavalier disregard for both the fragility of pens and for the interests of their customers.

 

Cob

[BrianMcQueen]

Thanks for the condolences, everyone.  I'm working with the eBay seller now to resolve this.

[Procyon]

The pre 1944 gree is definitely a different color than Nassau. I have a few, and I know of few more. The early green is more tropical green.

 

George

 

 

What did Parker call the color?  I suspect it was always called "Nassau Green", even if the color varied.

[Wahl]

A real shame, Brian, color is very attractive .

[Pensee]

I always ask sellers to put pens in PVC tubing *before* I pay.  Works some of the time, but if seller ignores my request-- at least I've got something in writing.

 

If any consolation not just pens arrive shattered.

 

http://www.classicro...p?topic=11383.0

 

Anyway, sorry for your loss, but on the plus side...

 

At least this topic and your photos will help buyers. 

 

"Could I get you to put pen in some PVC tubing or hard plastic?  Be a shame if something this old got crushed."  <insert link to FPB & your photos here>

 

Condolences & hope it works out.

 

--Bruce

[Widget]

Brian  Really sorry for your loss.  It makes me so angry.

I just paid £300 for a Parker 51 and this is how it arrived.

 

 

I messaged the seller with pics to show him.  The ink was also in the cap and box interier.  I explained the importance of cleaning out ink and packaging correctly.

He told me to stop complaining and send the pen back if I wasn't happy as he had paid £500 for it from Ernesto.

He did message again apologising after I had replied to his most rude message.

[wastelanded]

Terrible, heartbreaking I know. A beautiful pen, innocent, and destroyed. Same happened to me last year, a reverse-trim Canadian Snorkel Statesman smashed to shards. It came in a letter envelope, wrapped in tissue.

Maybe, just maybe, another barrel can be found?

[Readymade]

Is there any hope - any hope at all - of repair?

[BrianMcQueen]

Unfortunately there's just no way it can be repaired. Nor is a replacement barrel likely to be found, at least not in this color.

[Parker Quink Turquoise]

 A hard pen to lose.Very sorry for you.

[pen-deco]

Brian

What ever happened with this? Do you still have the pieces?

[BrianMcQueen]

Brian

What ever happened with this? Do you still have the pieces?

The pieces were given as a gift to a friend who is a collector of early and pre-production 51s who had a barrel we thought might be the same color. Sadly it didn't quite match. Hopefully he finds a use for the parts someday.

[Mike Hosea]

A color match might be difficult.  Kullock might have a clear barrel that would make an interesting result.